As live events all over the world have been canceled or postponed, the demand for virtual events is greater than ever. You may be wondering what some good virtual event ideas are for your business. If you’re creative about it, you can use this time as a way to build your brand and credibility. With online events, there are no geographical limitations so you have the potential to reach an even larger audience than you can with a live event. Let’s look at 10 creative virtual event ideas you can start planning right away.
Virtual Event Ideas:
1. Webinars
Webinars have gotten very popular in the last decade and can be used for many purposes. In fact, webinars are not mutually exclusive with many of the other ideas presented here. You could, for example, hold a webinar that’s a Q&A session, interview, training session, or some combination of the above. There are now various platforms and software that make it easy to create webinars without a huge budget or advanced technical knowledge. Spend some time researching each of them and choose the platform that meets your needs and budget. Google Hangouts, for example, provides a free way to get started.
2. Online Conferences
An online video conference is often easier and more productive than a live meeting. With today’s technology, you can easily connect people from different locations for any purpose. The main challenge is arranging for a mutually convenient time, especially when participants are in different time zones. One of the keys to successful online conferences is using reliable tools that provide quality audio and video feeds. Many large companies are taking this approach this year. Apple, for example, recently held a developer conference to highlight its latest software, an event that’s usually live but was put online in 2020.
3. Online Exhibitions
A virtual exhibition lets you showcase products and services in your industry and invite companies all over the world to participate. While it doesn’t quite capture the excitement of a live exhibition, there are some advantages to making your event virtual (even if you’re not compelled to because of quarantine). You save the costs of renting and preparing a physical space and you can attract attendees and exhibitors from all over the world. Visitors can access the exhibition at their own convenience and easily get information and links to products and businesses that interest them.
4. Social Media Live Streams
Live streaming on sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, give you a chance to connect with your followers and perhaps attract some new ones. As with webinars, a live stream can also be a product launch, interview, or another virtual event. However, it can just as easily be a more casual event, giving you a chance to get to know your audience. It’s also easy for followers to join in and interact without having to formally sign up for anything. In this way, a live stream is ideal for attracting people who may be browsing and looking for something to do.
5. Product Launches
With an online product launch, you can drum up a great deal of publicity for your new product. You can build interest in your launch by posting teasers on our website, social media posts (Stories on Instagram and Facebook are great for product launches), emails, videos, and other channels. You can entice people to show up with giveaways, free trials, and other special promotions. You might, for example, offer a coupon code to attendees.
6. Mini-courses and Tutorials
Online learning is exploding with courses, workshops, and lectures of all kinds being offered. You can create your own events that educate your customers and prospects. You can instruct existing customers on how to use your product and include demonstrations. You can also introduce your products to prospects, explaining their benefits with case studies and suggestions.
7. Q&A Sessions
While a question and answer session is similar in some ways to a tutorial, in this case, your attendees determine the topics. You can also discuss some frequently asked questions. If you offer software or services that involve tricky technical processes, a Q&A session can help to clarify things. It’s also helpful to answer questions whenever you introduce a new product or upgrade.
8. Interview Experts and Influencers
Interviewing a knowledgeable person in your industry helps you to attract a large audience and also helps build your own authority. It can be a win-win for the influencer as it’s publicity for him or her as well as for you. Invite your followers and customers to send in questions before the event and add some of your own. You could make it an interactive event and let people call in or type in questions as well.
9. Fundraisers
Raising money for a worthy cause is a good way to contribute to your community as well as raise visibility for your business. Partner with a local or national organization whose goals you support and help them raise money. Many traditional fundraising events can be repurposed into virtual formats. You might, for example, connect with entertainers and have a virtual concert. A fundraising auction could be held online. You might even create a virtual version of a 5K run, where participants run or walk on their own or on their treadmills.
10. Team-building Events
Whether you typically work with remote workers or your team normally inhabits a physical space, it’s important to connect with employees and team members. While most of the virtual events listed here are for reaching out to customers and prospects, you shouldn’t neglect your own team. There are a variety of remote team building activities that can help to bring people together. Possibilities include online parties, virtual coffee meets, games, and team dinners. It’s best to keep these casual with voluntary participation so people don’t feel pressured.
This is the Ideal Time for Virtual Events
It’s time to start exploring virtual event ideas. In fact, there’s never been a better time to start presenting virtual events (or to do more of them). With live events on hiatus, businesses have the opportunity to reach their customers and prospects on their devices, where they are spending much of their time already. The fact is, even when live events resume, there are many benefits to holding virtual events as well. They are cheaper and simpler to organize and accessible to a wider audience. Virtual events can complement your live events and attract visitors who aren’t able to travel.
The Event Production Company can help you plan events that are memorable, measurable, and profitable. If you’re seeking expert help for your next virtual (or live) event, contact us.
